Ilium Composites transitions ULTImat chopped strand mats to 50% recycled polyester

Photo Credit: Ilium Composites

Ilium Composites (Hidd, Bahrain), a global manufacturer of fiberglass structural composite reinforcements, continues to add to its range of chopped strand mats (CSM) under the ULTImat brand. The CSM range is composed of a synthetic core layered between chopped fiberglass and incorporates a synthetic integrated veil. According to the company, the ULTImat range offers optimized protection against osmosis and chemical erosion for maritime and other relevant constructions, while delivering smooth surface finishes at a low cost.

Recently, the company made the switch to using 50% recycled polyester for its ULTImat Standard product. The Ilium Composites team hopes to advance the product’s manufacture to 100% recycled polyester within the next three years.

Once requiring numerous processes and larger expenses, the ULTImat range can now be manufactured quicker with improved laminate quality, Ilium notes. Supplied with polyester flow media, ULTImat benefits from improved
cyclic loading and increased interlaminar shear strength by approximately 5%. Performance is improved with optimized compatibility with polyester resins and better fire retardancy.

Benefits can be further optimized through recommended closed mold processes, including light resin transfer molding (LRTM) and vacuum infusion. This applies to the complete ULTImat suite:

Standard — 50% recycled polyester flow media with standard surface veil.
Superior Finish (SF) — Increased surface finish with higher weighted surface veil.
High Flow (HF) — Flow media for faster resin flow.
Combi — Increased integrity with continuous woven roving or multiaxial reinforcement.
Polypropylene (PP) flow media instead of polyester.

Colin Leatham-Locke, business development manager at Ilium Composites, adds that the company’s CMS products are stitch-free without chemical binders, which improves visual appearance. They can also be cut efficiently with clean edges without fray or overlapping of composite material.